The City of Monterey Park invites residents to “Reach Up” and welcome the 100-plus members of the German Special Olympics delegation as they arrive in the city Thursday, July 23.
The City of Monterey Park is one of about 100 Host Towns in Southern California who will welcome Special Olympics Athletes from around the globe to get acclimated to all that Los Angeles has to offer. Monterey Park, in conjunction with the communities of Lincoln Heights and Alhambra, will host German athletes and team members for three days leading up to the Opening Ceremonies for the World Games 2015, which will take place on July 25, 2015 at the Los Angeles Coliseum.
To start the Host Town Monterey Park day with the German delegation, the community is encouraged to meet Thursday, July 23, 8 a.m. at EL ARCA (http://www.elarcainc.org/), a non-profit organization for the developmentally disabled in Lincoln Heights, to cheer on the final leg of the Law Enforcement Torch Run.
The Host Town committee then invites Monterey Park residents to continue the welcome of the German team as they arrive in Monterey Park for a free arts & music festival production titled “Color. Art. Movement.” Festival hours will be from 1:30-4:30 p.m. at Barnes Park Amphitheater featuring tribute bands Red Not Chili Peppers and No Duh. Additionally, an interactive live art village will also exhibit local Los Angeles artists with a special guest appearance by the Master Artist Jason Lee. This event is open and free to the public.
Members of the press are invited to cover a private luncheon at 12 noon preceding the festival for the German athletes and team at the Barnes Park picnic pavilion serving some of the best of the community’s local flavors with support from local businesses such as Shakas, Togo’s, Boston Market, Z’s Crazy Good, The Daily Brew in Montebello, Liliana’s in East Los Angeles, Lori’s Original Lemonade from Ventura, Diabolo Beverages, and Shinano Restaurant. Entertainment for the luncheon will be provided by MPK Taiko Drummer, Le Polynesia Dance Company and DJ Caveman.
Later Thursday evening at 5 p.m., the press is also invited take photos and report on the private state dinner sponsored by the German consulate at Luminarias Restaurant (http://www.luminariasrestaurant.com/home) in Monterey Park. The event will feature a mixer at 5 p.m., with the athletes arriving for dinner at approximately 6 p.m.
Then on Friday, July 24, at 11 a.m. at the Cal State L.A. gymnasium, a colorful farewell pep rally featuring Mark Keppel and San Gabriel high schools band, cheer and drill team members as well as local VIPs will send off the athletes to the games. The public is invited and should park at their own discretion.
Major Sponsors for the Host Town Program in Monterey Park has been provided by Tigers Youth Club, Scudder Foundation, MPK Pacemakers, Athens Service, Henley Law, Transtech Engineers, Inc., West SGV Relations Association, and Linc Housing.
For more information or to support Monterey Park’s Host Town activities with a donation or by volunteering, please visit www.facebook.com/HostTownMontereyPark or www.MontereyPark.ca.gov and search for “Special Olympics.” Ticket information for LA2015 World Games opening/closing ceremonies and events is available at www.la2015.org.
Barnes Park is located at 350 S. McPherrin Avenue, Monterey Park, CA 91754. The amphitheater is located at the corner of Harding and S. Ramona Avenues; picnic pavilion near the corner of Harding and McPherrin Avenues. Luminarias Restaurant is located at 3500 Ramona Blvd, Monterey Park, CA 91754. EL ARCA is located at 3839 Selig Place, Lincoln Heights, CA 90031. Cal State L.A. is located at 5151 State University Dr., Los Angeles, 90032.
Media Contact
Dan Costley, Director of Recreation and Community Services
dcostley@montereypark.ca.gov
626-307-1388
www.MontereyPark.ca.gov
Attachment: “Color. Art. Movement.” festival flyer.
